[Periprosthetic infections of the hip joint : Clinical approach]

Increasing rates of periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) will present orthopedic surgeons and the health care system with challenges in the next few years. New concepts in diagnostic and surgical pathways allow specialized centers to offer differentiated therapy of PJI.

This article presents an overview of recent treatment concepts for PJI of the hip emphasizing diagnosis and the clinical approach.

A selective literature search was performed focusing on evidence-based concepts including diagnostics, surgical treatment, and biofilm active antibiotics.

PJI of the hip are classified as mature biofilm or immature biofilm infections. The most important step in the diagnostic procedure is to identify the pathogen and its antimicrobial susceptibility. Preoperative joint aspiration and leukocyte count, differentiation, and microbiological culture should be standard. Arthroscopic biopsy may be necessary to identify the pathogen. Depending on the biofilm maturity and the antimicrobial susceptibility, implant retention or two-stage revisions should be performed. Combination of surgical therapy and biofilm-active antibiotics are of utmost importance for successful treatment.

PJI represents a significant challenge for the orthopedic surgeon. Evidence-based and standardized clinical pathways are necessary for accurate and rapid diagnosis as well as patient-specific treatment concepts.